“To Groningen—yes.”
M. de Witt returned to his seat in the shadow.
“I fear that we have been too lenient,” he continued; “the Government must make some show of strength.”
“That is only wise,” answered the Count de Montbas; “and should, Mynheer, have been done before.”
“It has never been my policy to use force where persuasion might prevail,” said M. de Witt. “When one is adamant in great things one may be careless in little,—these rioters are mostly ignorant people——”
“They are encouraged by the Prince of Orange,” put in de Montbas quickly.
“There I think you are wrong,” returned the Grand Pensionary quietly. He knew that ill feeling existed between the House of Orange and M. de Montbas, whose father, an exiled Frenchman, had offered his services to the late Stadtholder only to have them refused.
M. de Montbas gave a half-nervous laugh.
“You are too confident, Mynheer.”
The Grand Pensionary ignored the remark and touched a bell upon his table.